Commonwealth v. Bartlett

Summary

The Pennsylvania Superior Court reviewed the Commonwealth's appeal from an order partially granting Paris Bartlett's pretrial habeas corpus motion and dismissing three aggravated assault charges. The court held that, viewing the evidence and reasonable inferences in the Commonwealth's favor, the evidence established a prima facie case that Bartlett attempted to cause bodily injury to law enforcement officers using his vehicle. The court reversed the trial court's order and remanded for further proceedings.

Holdings

1. The evidence, viewed in the light most favorable to the Commonwealth, established a prima facie case that Bartlett attempted to cause bodily injury to Trooper Hamati-Attieh with his vehicle and attempted to cause bodily injury to Vice Detectives Ozoa and Oquendo while they were performing their duties.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the trial court erred in granting pretrial habeas corpus relief and dismissing three aggravated-assault charges because the Commonwealth failed to establish a prima facie case.
2. Whether the evidence and reasonable inferences, viewed in the light most favorable to the Commonwealth, established that Bartlett attempted to cause bodily injury to a police officer with a deadly weapon under 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 2702(a)(4) and to police officers performing their duties under 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 2702(a)(3).

Disposition

reversed_and_remanded